Antibiotics for Stomach Ulcers

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HELEN NNAMA Last Updated: Jul 30, 2010

Helen Nnama

Helen Nnama has six years of writing experience. She is a health contributor to TBR Journal, editor of fertility confidential manuals, published poet, and a greeting card writer. She has a B.S. in microbiology, an M.S. in epidemiology, and is an M.D. candidate. A former state HIV/AIDS epidemiologist and NIA fellow at Johns Hopkins, she has research experience with published work.

Antibiotics can be given to treat stomach ulcers.Photo Credit Drugs image by __PeTe__ from <a href='http://www.fotolia.com'>Fotolia.com</a>

Stomach ulcers are open wounds that tend to develop in the stomach lining. A burning pain in the abdomen experienced for a few minutes to several hours is the most common symptom of a stomach ulcer. For a long time, stress and spicy foods were considered to be the main cause of stomach ulcers; however, now it is known that these ulcers can be caused by the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacterium. The treatment of stomach ulcers, therefore, involves antibiotic medications.

Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used for killing the bacteria responsible for stomach ulcers, reports MayoClinic.com. This antibiotic belongs to the penicillin group of drugs. It is often combined with another antibiotic called clarithromycin. The patient is also prescribed lansoprazole for the reduction of the acid in the stomach. Drugs.com states that people with asthma, liver disease, kidney disease, blood clotting disorder, and a proneness to diarrhea and allergy should inform their physicians before taking this drug. Side effects of the drug may include soreness in the throat, red skin rash, headache, diarrhea, easy bruising or bleeding, reduced urination, fever and chills, seizures, or confusion.

Clarithromycin

According to MayoClinic.com, clarithromycin is another antibiotic that is often prescribed for stomach ulcers caused by the Helicobacter pylori bacterium. This antibiotic belongs to the macrolide group of antibiotics. Patients with liver disease, kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, which is a neuromuscular disease, porphyria, a genetic metabolic abnormality, or a history of the long-QT syndrome, a disorder of the heart's electrical activity, should inform their physicians before taking this medication, reports Drugs.com.

Metronidazole

Metronidazole is another antibiotic that is used for the treatment of stomach ulcers caused by bacteria. Drugs.com states that this antibiotic works by entering the bacterial cell. It then acts on some components of the cell, killing the bacteria. It is used in combination with other antibiotics and stomach acid reducers to treat the stomach ulcer. People with liver disease, stomach or intestinal disease, anemia, epilepsy and nerve disorders should exercise caution while taking this drug. Side effects may include rapid heartbeat, warmth under the skin, tingling, nausea and vomiting.